How can I stop my cat from mouthing and swatting me when I pet him?

Question

My 3 yr. old cat puts his teeth on me but doesn't bit down when I am sitting on the couch watching tv. Also when I pet him, after a short time he will swat me with his paws. What can I do to avoid being scratched or bit?

Dr. Macartney, BVet Med, MRCVS · Accepted Answer

I am so sorry that you are experiencing these problems with biting with Your cat. I am sure it is very upsetting for you. First of all rest assured that this is a very normal young cat behaviour. Cats learn through play biting and it is part of our role as pet parents to help them learn limits. The behaviours will calm down with age. I would not attempt negative reinforcement such as striking Your cat or speaking harshly as this will potentially create more serious behaviour issues such as anxiety and fear-aggression. Try some calm corrections and positive reinforcement. If Your cat bites you, simply say in a calm voice "no" and stop interacting with her for a few moments. This over time will teach her that biting is not a desired form of play. Also try reinforcing her as she starts to play in a good way by not biting, and giver her a small training treat. If Your cat does manage to bite hard enough to break the skin be careful of a possible infection. Monitor your wound for heat. Swelling, or discharge. Make an appointment with your doctor if this occurs. If you are struggling with the biting after a couple of weeks of the above suggested training methods, consider a few sessions with a behaviourist. You can also try increasing her exercise and mental stimulation. These help with behaviour issues. Redirection to more appropriate activities or games will also help Other games which may be fun with Your cat are hide and go seek either with you and another person, or you hide her toys and she has to find them. Or classic fetch. All are surprisingly fun for cats too! Here are some resources to help; https://www.petcoach.co/article/top-5-toys-gadgets-for-your-cat/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/7-common-mistakes-cat-owners-make/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/9-ways-to-mentally-stimulate-your-cat/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/benefits-of-maintaining-an-active-lifestyle-for-your-pet/ I hope this was helpful!

How can I stop my cat from mouthing and swatting me when I pet him?

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